Die holder and support block



Oct. 29, v1968 J. F. HALL DIE HOLDER AND SUPPORT BLOCK Filed Jan. lO, 1966 INVENTR.'

United States Patent O M ABSTRACT oF THE DISCLOSURE A die holder and support block having a backup plate supported in a cavity and a pair of die body holding parts supported against the backup plate for clampingly engaging a die body.

The present invention relates to a die holder assembly and more specifically to a die holder assembly for a cold header.

Die members conventionally have been held by extremely bulky` and heavy spacer members which are retained in place by a wedge construction. To either change `dies or perform other types of maintenance upon the apparatus the wedge construction would rst have to be released. Frequently, the wedge construction could be released only by means of a Sledge hammer; in addition with the parts being large, bulky and heavy, they were extremely difficult `to handle. As a result, substantial time w-as required lfor changing dies or performing maintenance operations. In addition because of the size ofthe spacer members etc., the conventional construction was expensive.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a novel die holder and support block assembly which is less expensive to manufacture, is of a lighter ,weight and facilitates the rapid changing of dies and performance of other maintenance.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved die holder and support block asv sembly;

Other objects, features, and, advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent de scription and the appended claims, taken in` conjunction `with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a top elevational view of a die holder and support block assembly embodying the features of the present invention and shown in assemblyrelationship with -a cold header, forforming rollers for roller bearings.

FIGURE 2 is a front elevational view of the die holder and support block assembly of FIGURE l; and

" FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along n the line 3 3 in FIGURE 2.

Looking now to the drawing, a cold header, generally indicated by the numeral 10, has a movable member 11 the female die member for cooperation with the punch 13. The member 15 is provided with a cavity 12 which is open at the top and front, with the cavity 12 having a pair of inwardly inclined forwardly extending sides 14 and 16 which serve a purpose to be described. A die holder and Y support block assembly generally indicated by the nu-v meral 17, is located within the cavity 12. The die holder and support block assembly 17 includes a subassembly 4 plate 18 which is of a width less than the width of the cavity 12 and is held within the cavity 12 by means of a bolt 20 which extends into a counterbored bore 22 in the subplate 18 and is threaded into an aligned threaded bore 24 in the body of the stationary member 15. The forward 1 side portions of the subplate 18 are angulated to generally conform with the angulation of the sides 14 and 16. The subplate 148 has a front surface 26 in which is formed a ACC vertically extending generally rectangular through slot 28 and a slot 30 which is adjacent to the slot 28 is partially opened thereinto along its inner edge and extends vertically downwardly only partially along the front surface 26. The slot 30 is of a lesser depth than the slot 28.

A body die back plate 32 is generally of a rectangular section and is of a size to lit gener-ally matably within the rectangularly shaped slot 28. The body die back plate 32, however, has a larger width than the slot 28 and hence extends beyond the forward surface 26 of the subplate 18. The body die back plate 32 is held to the subplate 18 by means of a plurality of bolts (not shown).

Located at the one end of the forward surface 26 and within the cavity 12 of the member 15 is a generally rectangularly shaped elongated side wedge 34. The side wedge 34 has an angulated vertical surface 36 which mates with the angulated surface 14|. On the opposite end of the side wedge 34 is a pair of downwardly extending and inwardly tapering -front and rear surfaces 38 and 40, respectively, which are spaced from each other and have located therebetween a vertically extending tab or tongue portion 42. On the opposite side of the opening of cavity 12 from the side wedge 34, there is located a two-piece body die holder generally indicated by the numeral 44. The two-piece holder 44 includes a rst vertically extending side member 46, which has a tapered outer edge 48, which is tapered to match the surface 16 of the cavity 12 and normally is adapted to be in engagement therewith. The side member 46 generally is in engagement with the forward surface 26 of the subplate member 18, but generally overlaps a portion of the body die back plate 32 and hence is provided with a cutaway portion 50 which receives the overlapped portion of the body die back plate 32. The two-piece body die holder 44 yfurther includes an inner member 52 which is likewise adapted to engage the forward surface 26 of the subplate 18 and has an inner edge 54 in confrontation with an inner edge 56 of side member 46 which is opposite from the outer edge 48 thereof. The edges 54 and 56 extend generally vertically. The opposite edge of the inner member 52 is provided with a tab or tongue portion 58 similar to the tongue portion 42 of the side wedge 34 which tongue or tab portion 58 is defined by vertically inclined outer and inner surfaces 60 and 62, respectively. Note that the surfaces 60 and 62 incline downwardly oppositely from the direction of inclination of the surfaces 38 and 40 of the side wedge 34.

The side wedge 34 and the inner member 52 are spaced from each other and dene a space in which a pressure wedge 64 can be located. The pressure Wedge 64 is :formed with a pair of slots 66 and 68 in its opposite sides for receiving the tongues 42 and 58, respectively. The side surface 70, in which the groove 66 is formed, is inclined to mate the inclination of the surfaces: 38 and 40 of the side wedge 34 while the opposite side surface 72, which includes the groove 68, is inclined to mate with the surfaces 60 and 62 of the inner member 52. The pressure wedge 64 is provided with a threaded bore 74 in its narrower, upper end, which serves a purpose to be described.

The subplate 18 is provided with a counterbored through bore 76 which extends into communication with the slot 30. The bore 76 is in turn generally in coaxial alignment with an enlarged bore 80 land which is adapted to receive a shear die generally indicated by the numeral 82. The shear die 82 is held in place by a set screw 84 which extends through a vertically extending threaded bore through the top of the side member 46, which screw 84 communicates with the enlarged bore 80. Note that the slot 30 is open at its upper end and hence can be reached by a tool. This facilitates the positional adjustment of the shear die 82; thus, in order 'to adjust the shear 3 die 82, it is merely necessary to loosen the set screw 84 and to adjust the position of the shear die either from the front end of the shear die 82 or by means of a tool inserted into the slot 30. Note then that the shear die 82 can be adjusted without the necessity of disassembling the assembly 16.

The two-piece b'ody die holder 44 comprising the side member 46 and inner member 52, defines an enlarged circular aperture 84 with substantially one-half of the aperture 84 being defined in the inner member 52 and with the other con-fronting half being defined in the side member 46. The aperture 84 is adapted to receive the die body which is generally indicated by the numeral 8S. The diameter of the aperture 84 and hence of the die 86 is such that with the die 86 located in the opening 84 the confronting end surfaces 54 and 56 of the innermember 52 and of the side member 46 are maintained separated. The die member 86 is provided with a rearwardly extending cavity 88 in which the part to be made is to be formed and is provided with a reduced di-ameter aperture 90, which is adapted to receive a knockout pin indicated by the numeral 92. The knockout pin extends through a bore 94 in the subplate 18 which communicates with a counterbored end of a bore 96, which extends through the body die backplate 32. The bore 96 is in coaxial alignment with the enlarged bore 84 and hence in communication with the bore 90 and cavity 88 in the body die 86. A bushing 97 is located in bore 94 and the counterbored portion of bore 96.

A -pressure screw 98 has its threaded end threaded into the threaded bore 74 at the upper end of the pressure lwedge 64 and is fixed from rotation therein by means of a dowel pin 100. The pressure screw 98 extends through a smooth bore 102 in an elongated pressure plate 104, which is adapted to extend over the opening in which the pressure wedge 64 is located and to engage the upper ends of the side wedge 34 and the inner member 52. A washer 106 is located upon the pressure screw 98 and upon the upper surface of the pressure plate 104 and a nut 108 is threadably located upon the pressure screw 98 and is mounted to be engageable with the washer 106. It can be seen that by rotation of the nut 108 in one direction, since the pressure screw .98 is held from rotation by means of the dowel pin 100, the pressure Wedge 64 will be drawn upwardly hence forcing the side wedge 34 outwardly against the surface 14 of the cavity 12 while forcing the inner member 52 in an opposite direction whereby the body die 86 is clamped within the cavity 84 with the resulting pressure being transmitted to the opposite side 16 of the cavity 12 through the side member 46.

If it is desired to remove the die member 86, this can be done simply by loosening the nut 108 and if necessary, tapping upon the head of the pressure screw 98 to move the pressure wedge 64 downwardly sufficiently to provide sufficient clearance whereby the body die 86 can be removed. If it is necessary to remove the entire assembly except for the subplate 16, then it is merely necessary to loosen the nut 108, pivot lthe pressure plate 104 generally 90" relative to the position as shown in the drawing, and then remove the side wedge 34 by moving it upwardly. To facilitate such movement, a gripping aperture 110 is provided in the forward surface of the side wedge 34. Note then that in this case the side wedge 34, the pressure wedge 64, the inner member 52 and the side member 46 can easily be removed. At the same time the subplate 18 and the body die backing plate 32 will remain in place. It can be seen that the members requiring maintenance or requiring to be removed are generally light weight and can be readily removed; note also that with the construction as shown, the die member 86 can be easily removed and replaced; of course, general maintenance can be performed upon any of the support plate members such as the side wedge 34, the pressure wedge 64, the inner member 52 and the side member 46.

4 Note'ralsothatjt isnbtjrequiredfto use asledgeh'ammer to dislodge or to secure the various parts, etc.

While it will be apparent that'the preferedembodiment of the invention disclosed is well v:calc'zulated 'to' fultill the objects above'stated,` it will bey appreciated that the invention is susceptible to modification, variation and change without departing` from the.I proper scope or fair meaning of the s'ubjoined claims'.

What is claimed is': f f t 1. A ie holder and support blockl for holding a.t die body in acavity in a heading machine withV thefcavity open at the top and front comprising: a backup plate supported in the: cavity against the `rear surfacethereof, means located in the cavity and at the front surface of said backup plate for holding the die body comprising a die body holder having two parts, said parts ,having confonting notched portions defining an apertiire for receiving the die body, said parts beingmaintaine'd separated with the die body located within 'said aperture, wedge means located 'at said front surface of said'ba'c'kiip plate for exerting a force tending to move said two 'parts together toclamp the die body'withn" said apertu'e,""'said wedge means including aslidable' member engaged with one ofV said parts for moving said one of said parts in one direction to clamp the die body as said slidable member is moved transversely'along said one of said parts and moving means for selectively moving said yslidable member transversely, said parts being thin compared to the depth of the cavity, said backup plate being substantially' thicker 'thansaid parts and being substantially thick relative to the depth ofthe cavity'.

: 2. AMdie holder and support block for holding a die body in a cavity in a heading machine" with theA cavity ,open at the top and front comprising: a backup 'plate supported in the cavity against the rear surface`thereof,`means located in the cavityand at the front surface of said backup plate forv holding the die Abodyconipri'sing `a die body holder having two parts, said parts having confronting notched portions defining an aperture for receiving the die body, said parts being maintained separated with the die body located within said aperture, we dgemeans located at saidfront surface `of saidbackup plate for exerting a source tending to move said two parts together to clamp the die body withinsaid aperture, salidwedge ,meansl including a sidableV v member engaged with one of said4 parts for moving saidV loneofsaid parts in one direction to clamp the die body a's said slidable member is moved transversely alongsaid one of said parts and moving means for selectively moving said slidable member transversely, the cavityi having generally 'forwardly converging side wall surfaces and with the othe'rfof said parte having a side surface engaging the adjacentfone at the side wallsurfaces of the cavity and angulated to match theangle of that side wall surface, and with said ,wedge` means further comprising a sidewedge 4'member havingfa side surface .Wall engaging theother oneof the side wall surfaces of the cavity 'and angulated to match the angle of the side wall surface, said slidable member located between said one of said parts and said side wedge member and having inclined side surfaces in engagement 'with similarly inclined confronting side surfaces on said one of said parts and said side wedge.

3. A die holder and support block for holding a die body in a cavity in a heading machine with the cavity open at the top and front comprising: a backup plate supported in the cavity against the rear surface thereof, means located in the cavity and at the front surface of said backup plate for holding the die body comprising a die body holder having two parts, said parts having confronting notched portions defining an aperture fon receiving the die body, said parts being maintained separated with the die body located within said aperture, Wedge means located at said front surface of said backup plate for exerting a force tending to move said two parts together to clamp the die body within said aperture, said wedge means including a slidable member engaged with one of said parts for moving said one of said parts in one direction to clamp the die body as said slidable member is moved transversely along said one of said parts and moving means for selectively moving said slidable member transversely, said moving means including a pressure plate engaging the top of said one of said parts and screw means connected to said slidable member and engageable with said pressure plate for reacting the force required to slide said slidable member in the transverse direction causing movement of said one of said parts in said one direction.

4. A die holder and support block for holding a die body in a cavity in a heading machine with the cavity open at the top and front comprising: a backup plate supported in the cavity against the rear surface thereof, means located in the cavity and at the front surface of said backup plate for holding the die body comprising a die body holder having two parts, said parts having confronting notched portions detining an aperture for receiving the die body, said parts being maintained separated with the die body located within said aperture, wedge means located at said front surface of said backup plate for exerting a force tending to move said two parts together to clamp the die body Within said aperture, said wedge means including a slidable member engaged with one of said parts for moving said one of said parts in one direction to clamp the die body as said slidable member is moved transversely along saidone of said parts and moving means for selectively moving said slidable member transversely, said other of said parts having an opening yfor receiving a stock cut-off die, means on said other of said parts for locking the stock cut-off die in a selected location, and a slot extending from the top of said other of said parts along its rear surface and down to said opening for providing access to the cut-olf die to selectively adjust its position in said opening.

5. The apparatus of claim 2 with said backup plate being thick relative to the thickness of said parts.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 with said moving means including a pressure plate engaging the top of said one of said parts and screw means connected to said slidable member and engageable with said pressure plate for reacting the force required to slide said slidable member in the transverse direction causing movement of said one of said parts in said one direction.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 with said other of said parts having an opening for receiving a stock cut-off die, means on said other of said parts for locking the stock cut-ofi die in a selected location, and a slot extending from the top of said other of said parts along its rear surface and down to said opening for providing access to the cut-olf die to selectively adjust its position in said openlng.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 with said inclined surfaces of said slidable member converging upwardly, and with said screw means including a bolt lixed to said slidable member and slidably passing through a bore through said pressure plate and a nut member threaded on said bolt for exerting a force on said pressure plate as said nut member is rotated in a selected direction.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 with said slidable member being engageable with said one of said parts and with said side wedge member with tongue and groove construction.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,142,380 7/1964 Griesinger 100--219 3,157,892 11/ 1964 Carlson 10-24 FOREIGN PATENTS 401,356 9/ 1924 Germany.

CHARLES W. LANHAM, Primary Examiner.

J. P. CROSBY, Assistant Examiner. 

